Strategy & Sim Video Games

Handheld gamers with the need for speed (and no Need for Speed games within reach) can take to the skies for intense 3D dogfights and aerial acrobatics in Ace Combat: Assault Horizon Legacy. As a member of special tactical fighter squadron "Scarface," 3DS users must use their touch screen to lock onto and destroy land, sea, and airborne targets. There are a number of different real-world aircraft to pilot, and dozens of missions set within the overall campaign to squelch a military coup. ~ Christopher Brown, All Game Guide

Completely rebuilt for the 3DS, Michael Jackson: The Experience 3D is a rhythm game designed to give players the impression of being in 15 of the King of Pop's most famous videos. Gamers use their stylus to draw a series of shapes on the touch screen in conjunction with Michael Jackson's signature dance moves, taking on a variety of challenges to climb the ranks and unlock new outfits, power-up gloves, background effects, and badges. All of the video scenes have been re-created in stereoscopic 3D, and three difficulty levels provide a challenge for gamers of all skill levels. ~ Christopher Brown, All Game Guide

Steel Diver sends 3D gameplay under water as players take control of three different submarines and explore the briny depths, avoiding mines, battling enemy ships, and fending off giant sea creatures. The action is controlled via the 3DS's touch screen and internal gyroscope, but each vessel offers a different set of controls that gamers must master, and three different game modes help keep the action fresh. "Missions" mode is a fast-paced shooter that requires players to control their ship's speed, depth, and pitch while they travel through branching underwater pathways, fire torpedoes at enemies, and use the stylus and touch screen to fix any leaks that arise. "Periscope Strike" uses the gyroscope to let players effectively take on the role of a periscope, rotating left and right to find enemies and fire torpedoes. And multiplayer fans can join a friend for "Steel Commander," a top-down, turn-based strategy game in which two local gamers move submarine fleets around the map in search of enemy ships. ~ Christopher Brown, All Game Guide

Nintendo's popular in-house life development sim returns with 3D gameplay and an entirely new species of furry four-legged friends in Nintendogs + Cats. There are 27 different breeds from which to choose, highlighted by the French bulldog cover-critter, and each breed offers unique color patterns and personalities. All of the animals react to touch (on the touch pad) and sound (through the microphone), and the facial recognition technology of the 3DS even lets the virtual pets learn their owner's face. Other 3DS gameplay options are also put to use in Nintendogs + Cats, such as an augmented reality feature that allows virtual pets to play on real-world objects like tables or desks, or the activity log pedometer that keeps track of real-world steps when players take their pet for a walk. Gamers can also snap photos of their puppy or kitten at any time, exchange "Miis," pets, and presents with nearby players, and download new content at any wireless hotspot. ~ Christopher Brown, All Game Guide

Nearly 15 years after Pilotwings 64 was released alongside the Nintendo 64, the quirky and well-received aviation series returns with 3D gameplay and full "Mii" compatibility in the 3DS launch title Pilotwings Resort. Set on Wuhu Island, the fictional location of Wii Sports Resort and Wii Fit Plus, Pilotwings Resort offers gamers more than 30 unique plane, hang-glider, and rocket-belt missions in "Mission" mode. All three vehicles are controlled differently, so players must learn to master each craft before they can successfully complete each mission and earn stars. Gamers who are less task-oriented can instead try out the "Free Flight" mode, where they are encouraged to explore the skies above Wuhu Island to find hundreds of collectibles and unlock interactive 3D dioramas. Players can also snap photos of the island's many landmarks, save them to their 3DS photo album, and show them to friends at any time. ~ Christopher Brown, All Game Guide

Nintendo's popular in-house life development sim returns with 3D gameplay and an entirely new species of furry four-legged friends in Nintendogs + Cats. There are 27 different breeds from which to choose, highlighted by the toy poodle cover-critter, and each breed offers unique color patterns and personalities. All of the animals react to touch (on the touch pad) and sound (through the microphone), and the facial recognition technology of the 3DS even lets the virtual pets learn their owner's face. Other 3DS gameplay options are also put to use in Nintendogs + Cats, such as an augmented reality feature that allows virtual pets to play on real-world objects like tables or desks, or the activity log pedometer that keeps track of real-world steps when players take their pet for a walk. Gamers can also snap photos of their puppy or kitten at any time, exchange "Miis," pets, and presents with nearby players, and download new content at any wireless hotspot. ~ Christopher Brown, All Game Guide