This game was a classic when it came out on Wii in 2010, and this new 3DS version takes all the great gameplay and level design and brings it to the palm of your hand! New, easier and adjustable control schemes make for a tighter experience, and an all-new world with brand-new stages await those that have the skills to unlock them! One of the best platformers of last generation, and undoubtedly one of the best platformers released in 2013!

Okay, technically this isn't really a *new* game. This is a remake of an old SEGA game from back in the 1990's. BUT! This is the first time I've played it. And man, this may have been worth the wait. High-intensity shooting action, visually varied enemies, attacks and environments, and some of the best stereoscopic 3D sprites seen yet. Arguably the best of the bunch of the 3D SEGA Classics series.

Oh man. What a fun game! Admittedly, I haven't finished this one, but it's on my to-do list! This little indie game had a lot going for it. Beautiful presentation, challenging gameplay that puts your reflexes to the test, and...it was just plain fun to play! The digging is enjoyable, the exploration is satisfying, and I could see myself going back to this game again and again in the future. I really dug this one.

I do love me a fun racing game! And man, AiRace Speed delivers on fast, visceral action. This game is unique in that it doesn't require the player to be "attached" to a road or race track - the entire game is done in the air! The challenge is done by guiding your futuristic aircraft through tunnels full of obstacles, multiple alternate paths, and trying to get the fastest track time. With a very clean, pristine presentation, thumpin' techno beats, challenging gameplay, online leaderboards and an achievement system, this game really delivers. I highly recommend this one to anyone who enjoys futuristic racers like WipEout or F-Zero.

Ah, Castlevania. This one got some mixed reviews when it came out, but I fell on the side of enjoying it. Developer Mercury Steam successfully put the Lords of Shadow gameplay onto this 2D handheld adventure, while also appeasing to fans of the older games with fan-favorite abilities. (whip-swinging from Super Castlevania IV is back! The map system made famous by Symphony of the Night is back and better with the ability to make notes! Trevor Belmont is back!) Great graphics, a solid adventure clocking in between 10 and 15 hours, and an unlockable harder difficulty for those that demand more from their games. The storyline is great too, as it not only works as a stand-alone entry in the series, but also fits in perfectly with the new legend being wove by the console game (and its sequel). A must-play for action fans, and of course Castlevania fans alike.

Craziness. That's the word to describe this epic cross-over game. Mashing the characters from famous Capcom, Namco and SEGA franchises together to battle inter-galaxy foes (as well as some familiar faces) is a fan-service dream come true. Music from the old games the characters come from are back and remixed to sound both new and nostalgic. The attacks are screen-filling explosions of...well, explosions most of the time, but also energy blasts, whirling blades, gun shots, ki-fireballs...and more. The graphics do seem rather basic most of the time, but when the battle scenes go "full tilt" it actually gets really impressive. Be sure to have your 3D slider up during those sequences...it's eye-popping!

After all that chaos from Project X Zone, sometimes it's good to dial it back a bit and take it slow for a while. Animal Crossing fills that need like few other games do. As per usual for the series, you start off moving into a town full of talking animals (for some reason?) and you can begin your life as a free individual and do things at your own pace. But in a new twist on the old formula, you are elected mayor (despite showing up in the town just the day before) and you can sculpt the village as you see fit. Place your home wherever you like, set up new village sites and shops, like a camp site, a café, a music club, and more. For the first time you can also swim in the waters, and play all-new mini-games and challenges on an island far off from the mainland. You can also meet up with friends online, trade various items, chat it up, send each other mail, and play games together. It's the ultimate "lean back and take it easy" kind of game, and a perfect game to play over the course of the year...and possibly years to come!

This was actually my front-runner for my favorite game this year, until the next two in the list were released. Fire Emblem's classic strategy gameplay is back in full force, with the added benefit of being able to "team up" with other party members and unleash new potential attacks and abilities. Building relationships with your army's members is more intuitive and addictive than ever, and might draw more attention away from the epic storyline than you might expect! If the 20 to 30 hour campaign isn't enough for you, you can even download new missions via DLC, and challenge other Fire Emblem players via StreetPass. Beautiful presentation, fantastic music, and an SRPG adventure for the ages...a must play for all 3DS owners, IMHO.

Ah, The Legend of Zelda. One of Nintendo's most revered IPs ever. And man oh man, this one is a doozy! An official sequel to the SNES masterpiece, A Link to the Past, Nintendo built a game that is equal parts new, innovative game design and proper, well-paced nostalgia. Link is free to explore Hyrule at his discretion, take on the game's various dungeons in just about any order, all the while enjoying some really great stereoscopic 3D visuals, an unfaltering 60 frames per second, and one of the best, if not THE best Legend of Zelda soundtrack ever. Another must-play game for all 3DS owners. An instant classic.

And finally, my #1 game of 2013: POKéMON! ....what can I say? I really like this series. Capturing innocent animals out in the wild and forcing them to fight each other for my amusement just makes me happy. So long as it's covered up in this wonderfully colorful, cel-shaded, kid-friendly adventure full of whimsy and exploration, that is! If enjoying a huge, sprawling adventure with tons of content, great online features, and some of the best RPG gameplay this side of DragonQuest is wrong...then I don't want to be right! This is another game that will last me for months and possibly years to come. A quintessential addition to the vast 3DS library, for sure.