The 3DS and Wii U eShops are closing. And while most of the Wii U's fighting games are preserved on other consoles, the 3DS eShop and DSiware shop have some truly unique titles. The DSiWare shop first open back in early 2011. Now after 12 years we finally have to put the good shop to rest and say goodbye to its cute interface and charming music that are so dreadfully missed on the switch.
In 24 hours the 3DS eShop will be gone forever.
But before we say goodbye, lets reminisce about the fighting games the handheld has provided us. We'll be covering games that can purchased through digital download so no DS only fighting games.
BlazBlue Continuum Shift II
This was one of the three 3DS launch games that really showcased how powerful the new handheld was. BlazBlue Continuum Shift II was a port of a popular console/arcade game and frankly it was a pretty great port. 60 FPS, 18 characters and a deep tutorial system meant to help guide players through the in and outs of the game's many mechanics. However this game had to fatal flaws. First being that there is no online mode, which is inexcusable for a fighting game, especially since the DS had plenty of fighting games with an online and local versus mode. Secondly, the game could not be cleared of its save data. At the time, the used games market was still thriving so this was seen as an anti-used games tactic. Theres technically was a way around it but it involved messing with the SD card and risked bricking the game. Ultimately these two flaws led to the game having a colder than expected reception.
Super Street Fighter IV: 3D Edition
Here it is. The premier 3DS fighting game. Street Fighter IV on 3DS was one of the few initially announced launch titles that actually did pan out and its a pretty great port. It should be noted that Street Fighter IV was probably the biggest fighting game in the world at the time having revived Capcom's fighting game division and is largely regarded as the reason 2D fighting games were revived in the main stream. Whats even more impressive is that this is a handheld version of Super Street Fighter IV, the second installment with even more characters. The game runs really well (assuming you have 3D off) and actually has online. It was the best way to play Street Fighter IV on the go, being a better alternative to Street Fighter IV and IV Volt on iOS. A few interesting things of note, the 3DS version uses the bottom screen has instant inputs that you could press which is good because the 3DS joystick wasn't great. And the 3DS had a unique behind the shoulder 3D mode that let you take advantage of the 3D capability.
Dead or Alive Dimensions
The last of the big named fighting games that gave everyone the impression the 3DS might be a bigger fighting game machine than its predecessor. A false impression but still. And I would be reminisce not to mention the 3D feature in this game was used to advertise some of its characters *ahem* "assets". This game runs on a modded DOA 4 engine and more is a compilation game a la MK trilogy, bringing together characters and stages from all over the DOA universe. Fun fact: this game has a stage based off Metroid: Other M, another game developed by team Ninja.
Super Smash Bros
Here it is. THE fighting game on the 3DS. Not just the best selling but the highest rated and without a doubt most anticipated game. People were clamoring for a handheld version of Smash Bros for years, with popular fan game Super Smash Bros Rumble being in development for DS Homebrew during that systems lifespan. But the announcement that Smash 4 would be getting simultaneous (and then almost simultaneous) releases was too crazy. And Smash 4 on the 3DS delivered. Firstly its art style had a very cell shaded look in order to run on the system at a consistent 60 FPS and frankly looked better than any of the Smash games before it, including the Wii U version. This art style goes hard. Secondly the game feature a whopping 58 characters including DLC like Bayonetta and Cloud. No Ice Climbers however as the 3DS version couldn't handle them. But instead we had returning legends like Mega Man and Pac-Man.
It also has a refined and arguably the best version of Classic mode with a scale that made you put your digital money where your mouth is. The 3DS version could be used as a controller for the Wii U version and while it wasn't really good with some of the worst lag you'll ever experience offline it was still cool. In terms of exclusives, the 3DS had a few stages that could only be played on this version such as Kirby Dreamland on Gameboy, the spirit tracks train which changes out Toon Link for Alfonso when Toon Link is being played and the superior version of Pac Land. But by far the best exclusive thing about Smash 4 on 3DS that makes it worth playing is Smash Run, a mode which can only be described as competitive Subspace Emissary and its a real shame it never left this version. One last thing of note is that in Club Nintendo of America's final year after they gave away their terrible platinum prize (B-tier Wii U downloads) a secret second prize was given to platinum members. 4 early access demos for Smash 4 on the 3DS. I damn near broke my hands playing this demo, and I did it all over when the game finally dropped. In spite of Smash 4's less than stellar legacy, to me Smash 4 on the 3DS is everything I wanted out of the game. Id break my hand all over again for it, cause it was that good (and also part of the reason my Freshmen grades in college dipped).
Cartoon Network: Punch Time Explosion
It's crazy to think that there was a time when this was the 3DS's only platform fighters. Years before Smash 4 was even a rumor in the industry, this jank version of a jank smash clone was all we had. Im not gonna sugar coated, this isn't a great game. It's janky in a bad way, it very unbalanced and unpolished and its limited budget went into surface level stuff like voice acting and subpar visuals. This isn't even the best version of Punch Time Explosion with an XL version that would later come out on consoles. But for what it's worth, this cartoon network fighting game was the best that we had for a few years. Also it let us play as Ben 10 & Samurai Jack, something Multiversus still hasnt done.
Dragon Ball Z: Extreme Butoden
Arc System Work's last fighting game on 3DS (along side another one that we'll get to in a minute) and their first attempt at the Dragon Ball IP. This was a match made in heaven and the game features some of ArcSys's best sprite work to date. However those expecting Dragon Fall FighterZ might be disappointed, as this game is far less balanced and significantly more assist heavy. In fact that majority of the cast here is assist characters. But it's pretty neat at all the weird and obscure Dragon Ball characters who show up because they weren't big enough to make the roster. Not bad for what would be the handheld's last big name fighting game.
Dragon Ball Z: Butoden 2
The game originally released on the SNES in Japan. For many years it was the golden standard for Dragon Ball fighting games and served as the templet for games like Super Sonic Warriors and Extreme Butoden. But its arrival on the 3DS is unique in that it was a pre-order exclusive. Yes anyone who pre-ordered Dragon Ball Z: Extreme Butoden was given a code for Butoden 2 making this one of the rarer 3DS downloads. Now the game has not aged well and is entirely in Japanese but it's still very neat. Like the rarest 3DS ambassador game.
One Piece: Great Pirate Colosseum
This is the other Arc System Works game we hinted at earlier. Released exclusively in Japan this game runs on the same engine as Dragon Ball Z: Extreme Butoden and plays very similar. And whats unique about this game is that you can sync it up with copies of Dragon Ball Z: Extreme Butoden and play against each other. There is a catch however, due to memory and logistics players using the One Piece cartridge can only play with One Piece characters and people with Dragon Ball can only use Dragon Ball characters. It leads to some weird balance issues, especially since One Piece has a few unique install mechanics that Dragon Ball doesn't. One last thing to note is that this game came out during the Dressrosa arc which is why characters from that arc are featured more heavily. Not that I mind as that is my favorite arc.
Street Fighter Alpha 2
You know, when you think about it, this game shouldn't exist. This game is just a hat on a hat of weird and unnecessary and yet I love it for that. Street Fighter Alpha 2 is a game that came out so late into the SNES's life span that most people forget the console even had the Alpha franchise on it. Hell the original Street Fighter Alpha didnt even make on to the system. And this game CHUGS, because the SNES hardware (and emulated hardware) just can not run it very well. It took 20 years for people to realize that Akuma was even unlockable in this game. Additionally this version of the game was only on the new 3DS, the poorly named enhanced version of the 3DS which for some reason was the only way to play SNES games (even though the GBA was capable of that). In actuality it was just a way to entice you to buy a new handheld, but sadly this game isn't really making a good pitch. But if you want a weirdly obscure version of a weirdly obscure version of a street fighter game most people forget about, here is a solid pick.
Photo Dojo
Here it is, the first downloadable handheld fighting game on a Nintendo system, going all the way back to the DSi era. This was the game that made people want a DSi. This was the game that made people think twice before writing off the underutilized camera feature. This little fighting game gem was developed by Nintendo and using the camera you would take photos of yourself or your friends and make a custom roster of fighters. You could use the touch screen to add affects and the whole thing was like a DIY digitized Mortal Kombat but with none of the M-rated violence. Is this game a good fighter? In a competitive sense no, but it will always be what I think of when I think of 3DS fighter.
Kirby Fighters Deluxe
Kirby Fighters was a sub game in the 3DS title Kirby Triple Deluxe, but we aren't going to talk about that because Nintendo saw the potential of the game and turned it into its own franchise. Kirby Fighters Deluxe comes with an expanded roster of 12 as well as new stages and a new single player mode. As for how it plays, well if you've ever played a game with a stitched on vs Mode, then you can hazard a guess as to how this game plays. There are minor refinements that separate it from regular Kirby but ultimately its not really a well rounded fighter as much as it is a nice little official rom hack. Fun for those who didn't already own Triple Deluxe but not worth buying if you did.
Super Street Fighter II: The New Challengers
Can you really say you have a game system is Street Fighter 2 isn't on there? The former best selling fighting game of all time (though give it a few generations, it will reclaim the title) has been ported to just about everything. This version of originally brought new characters to game such as Dee Jay and Cammy. It's not the best version of the game, nor was its Super Street Fighter 2 Turbo HD remix, the most recent iteration which could have easily ran on the 3DS. But it's a good emulated port.
Street Fighter II Turbo: Hyper Fighting
And can you REALLY say you have a game system if Capcom doesn't release a better version of Street Fighter 2 after the first one is successful. Yeah Hyper Fighting was the last version of the original Street Fighter II franchise before Capcom moved on to the Alpha series. Released on the Genesis as Champion Edition, this version has all the characters, new pallets plus a turbo mode and really should have been the only Street Fighter II on 3DS if we are being honest.
My Hero Academia: Battle for All
It wild to think that the 3DS lifespan and My Hero Academia's popularity existed at the same time, but it did and it brought us this Japanese exclusive 3D fighter. Yeah it seems that My Hero's popularity wasn't quite big enough to bring the game westward and further more the region locking on the 3DS meant unlike Jump All Stars on the DS, this game couldn't just be imported from Japan. But the 3D fighter was still technically impressive though with some shallow gameplay and a very limited roster not helped by the fact that the Anime and Manga weren't particularly deep into the story. Still its neat to see what My Hero Academia fighting games looked like before One Justice.
One Piece: Super Grand Battle X
The latest entry in the One Piece Grand Battle franchise, this 3D platform fighter never left Japan. It plays pretty closely to the rest of the franchise but what most interesting is that this is one of the few 3DS games that utilized amiibo. By using the new 3DS or the 3DS amiibo add on, you could use Smash Bros amiibo to unlock costumes for your one piece characters such as Zorro as Link and Luffy as Mario.
Tekken 3D: Prime Edition
This is some good ass Tekken. Tekken 3D is a handheld version of Tekken 6 and retains all 41 characters without much graphical or FPS compromise. Its the second Tekken to appear on a Nintendo handheld (since Tekken on GBA) and would be the only Tekken on a Nintendo System until Tekken Tag Tournament 2 on Wii U. It also comes with the Animated Tekken movie in 3D, but to be perfectly honest, thats not really a very good selling point. If there is a drawback to this game its that the game lack any notable single player modes and since online dried up quickly and DS download play is no longer an option, that meant if you couldn't find someone then you better learn to love Arcade mode.
WWE All Stars
It wild to remember before mobile phone games got huge that there would routinely be handheld ports of much bigger console titles which had their own exclusive modes and compromises. WWE All Stars being no exception. The handheld port of the cult classic arcade wrestling game, the title would go on to be the handheld's only wrestling game in comparison to the DS's 3 titles. Still one could argue its a matter of quality over quantity, as this version maintain much of the combo heavy arcade combat of its bigger console counter part as well as its cartoony graphics. Its a clear step above the visuals we saw on the DS. Ultimately though this version was for people who either wanted wrestling on the go or only had a 3DS because there is no reason to play this version over the console one.
BlayzBloo: Super Melee Brawlers Battle Royale
This is probably the most obscure fighting game on this list thats attached to a big name IP. A spin-off of BlazBlue, this would go down as one of the last DSiWare fighting game. And honestly it's pretty neat. It's an homage to power stones and uses chibi versions of the BlazBlue cast, not to mention it uses 3D models which is impressive not just for the DS but for DSiWare which had infamously tight restrictions on game sizes. It's a neat little party brawler released with little fanfare. Not exactly a forgotten gem but certainly a neat little piece of fighting game trivia.
BlazBlue: Clonephantasma
The even more obscure and forgotten 3DS follow up to BlayzBloo, BlazBlue: Clonephantasma drops the silly name (relatively speaking) and aimed for a more arena fighter style game. Its still rocking the chibi art style but it now has a higher focus on single player.
Tenkai Knights Brave Battle
I had no idea this game existed until I started making this list. It apparently based off a toy cartoon in Japan about building blocks and plays like dollar store Custom Robo. This might be too obscure and boring, even by my standards.
Mario & Sonic at London 2012
The Jump from DS to 3DS meant more than just new graphics. This Mario & Sonic game continues the handheld tradition of having a story mode in the game which immediately puts it above its console counter part. Is the story good? Not really, but it's there and it has Sonic and Mario in a story based game, running around London and competing in 3 contact fighting sports. Judo, Boxing and Fencing. And given that this an earlier 3DS, it goes all in on the gimmick with an angle that helps emphasis 3D and use of the system's gyroscope. And If there is one thing I'll miss about DS/3DS games, its the gimmicks and compromises developers made to get them on to handhelds.
Mario & Sonic at Rio 2016
The last of the handheld exclusive versions for Mario & Sonic at the Olympic games. And sadly not a high note to go out on. The only fighting sport that remains in Boxing which is largely the same mini game from the previous version. The roster is heavily influenced by Sonic Lost Worlds and Super Mario 3D World so the Koopa Kids and the Zeti are all heavily featured. Lastly, there is amiibo functionality for Sonic & Mario, allowing them to unlock an exclusive Super Sonic and Gold Mario costume.
Deca Sports Extreme
This sports game barely makes the list clearly trying to ride the coattails of Mario & Sonic or Wii Sports, this sport compilation game features Sumo wrestling as an event. It's very simplistic, has four buttons and we have given it more time than it deserves. Still outside of Street Fighter no other game on this list has Sumo Wrestling. So it's got that going for it at least.
Urban Champion 3D Classics
There was a recurring trend on the 3DS by several companies to release old games with new 3D features and quality of life choices. The two biggest of which were Sega and Nintendo, the latter of whom gave us this. Urban Champion 3D Classic is a 3D enhanced version of the very VERY old NES fighter Urban Champion. In terms of quality of life changes, there are none, it's the same game with a poorly done 3D affect. This was always the weakest of the 3D Classics both because the original game isn't great and the new port gave no reason for people to reconsider that line of thinking. But it was a 1st party game and the first digital exclusive 3DS fighting game, so for better or worse, it's on this list.
Honorable Mention: Project X-Zone 1 & 2
These are not Fighting Games. These are RPGs that feature a lot of fighting game characters among other Big IPs and the combat plays like a simple fighter. But that combat and sprite work is so good and these interactions between characters are phenomenal. Not to mention that in spite of repetitive combat, I was never not enjoying optimizing my combo routes. And outside of Smash this is the most fighting game characters from different franchises you are going to see together on one screen.
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