Shovelware has always been part of the video game industry. However, when the eShop was introduced for Nintendo consoles, it was bigger than ever. Here are seven of the worst games on the 3DS, be them retail or download only.
Worst nintendo 3DS games ever
7. Johnny Hotshot
Johnny HotShot plunges players into a Wild West-themed arcade shooter, where they assume the role of sheriff tasked with capturing bandits and confronting Mr. Wang. However, the game fails to deliver an engaging experience in every level. The gameplay consists of three repetitive trials, including a shooting gallery, saloon shootout, and horse chase, all of which lack entertainment value and innovation.
Despite its attempt to blend old-school action with modern visuals, the game falls short of providing compelling content. The points system in Johnny HotShot feels disconnected from player performance, emphasizing speed over skill. Stars are awarded based on completion time rather than achievement, making progression feel arbitrary and unrewarding. Additionally, the combo system lacks significance, there is not really any point of it. The game's difficulty lies more in deciphering its unclear objectives than in mastering its mechanics, resulting in frustration and confusion for players.
With its lackluster content, confusing gameplay mechanics, and dull execution, why did this game even got out? Repetitive mini-games and unsatisfying progression system? Sure, John, sell this product.
6. Carnival Games: Wild West 3D
Carnival Games: Wild West 3D is a game that is bafflingly terrible. It does not even enter the so-bad-its-good, it is just plainly bad. Well, at least it was a fiver when it got released. If you are expecting a passable experience, well, you will not. The crude graphics, poorly designed characters, and nonsensical mini-games are all the things this game offers and nothing else.
This is just a boring minigame compilation which has no redeeming value. This game only so came out when the mobile games are getting good, and no effort whatsoever was poured into this absolute cash-grab.
5. Horrid Henry: The Good The Bad & The Bugly
Horrid Henry: The Good, The Bad and The Bugly is an embodiment of everything wrong in the video game industry. These are the “features” of this game: lack of voice acting, dull music, and aggravating visuals, absence of a coherent story and misleading advertising, claiming 3D gameplay when it's actually 2.5D.
The game has PEGI 3 rating, are you really going to have your children , let alone toddlers suffer through this game. Its poor quality may be due to a short development time frame of about 7-8 months, given that it was released in the launch year of the 3DS just to hit that first year high.
4. Garfield Kart
Garfield Kart fails to impress on multiple fronts, making it difficult to recommend to anyone. It falls short visually, resembling a low-quality port of an iOS game, with lackluster levels and uninspired backgrounds. Character selection is also disappointing, lacking variety and failing to capitalize on potential iconic additions like farm animals from Garfield and Friends.
It is admittedly shallow to judge a game based on its visual shortcomings but the trainwreck does not end there. The game suffers from being a blatant clone of Mario Kart, from its cover art to its gameplay mechanics and even its weaponry. The music further aggravates the assaulting experience, with repetitive loops that become grating. Playing with 3D enabled exacerbates the visual issues, and the erratic camera angles coupled with sluggish kart handling make navigation frustrating, compounded by odd drift mechanics that require acclimatization.
Glitches plague the game, rendering it virtually unplayable at times. From giant pixels to blurry textures and bizarre collisions, the experience is riddled with technical flaws that undermine any potential enjoyment. Even without these issues, the game would struggle to rise above mediocrity, offering little beyond a lackluster imitation of a more polished and engaging franchise.
3. Adventure Time: Explore the Dungeon Because I DON'T KNOW!
Adventure Time: Explore the Dungeon Because I DON'T KNOW! shamelessly desecrates its beloved cartoon counterpart by offering players a lackluster dungeon-crawling experience devoid of the whimsy and excitement one might expect. Princess Bubblegum's summons to explore the Secret Royal Dungeon beneath her castle leads to a monotonous journey through repetitive floors, with simplistic combat and minimal character customization. It is a mystery how this game just fails to deliver on multiple fronts when Adventure Time: Hey Ice King! Why'd You Steal Our Garbage?!! was one of the greatest games of its generation. In fact, the aforementioned game appeared in multiple best-of lists here in Nerdvana Central.
The exploration is tedious in this game, lacking in interesting encounters or meaningful rewards. Even with the inclusion of co-op multiplayer, the shared experience only amplifies the game's shortcomings, particularly evident in lackluster boss fights.
The game's progression system further compounds its issues, with limited opportunities for meaningful character upgrades and a punishing cycle of treasure collection and spending. Humorous moments are sparse which are diabolical given the source. Ultimately, Adventure Time: Explore the Dungeon Because I DON'T KNOW! fails to provide a compelling reason for players to embark on its uninspired journey.
2. Power Rangers Super Megaforce
Power Rangers Super Megaforce fails to live up to the grandeur of its source. This game is a pedestrian gaming experience that relies heavily on players' nostalgia for the show. Despite the long history of Power Rangers and its potential for inspiring engaging gameplay given the vast numbers of amazing Power Ranger games, Super Megaforce failed in delivering innovative gameplay mechanics, settling instead for a basic beat 'em up format.
The combat in Power Rangers Super Megaforce is simplistic and tailored towards a younger audience, with side-scrolling battles lacking in depth and variety. While the inclusion of Megazoid battles attempts to add variety, they ultimately feel cumbersome and fail to break the monotony of the gameplay. Additionally, the light RPG elements, such as leveling up Rangers, offer little depth and customization, leaving much to be desired in terms of player progression.
One potentially interesting feature is the AI-controlled companion Rangers that fight alongside the player. However, the implementation feels shallow, resembling more of an escort quest than a meaningful cooperative mechanic. Despite the tie-in with toy collectibles for character unlocks, Power Rangers Super Megaforce ultimately falls short of its potential, offering uninspired gameplay and half-realized ideas will make the most hardcore fan remove its rose-tinted glasses.
1. Tenkai Knights: Brave Battle
Tenkai Knights: Brave Battle just fails in every face. The story, while mirroring the premise of the anime, feels stale and fails to offer any surprises or excitement, catering primarily to a younger audience enamored with the television series. Gameplay mechanics suffer from poor execution, with minimal explanation provided in the manuals and shallow customization options that offer little impact on gameplay. The platforming elements are marred by erratic jumping mechanics, while combat encounters range from overly simplistic minion battles to frustratingly difficult boss fights.
The game does not even look good due to its uninspired graphics. Sound design features bland music and poorly balanced voice work. Ultimately, the game's lack of depth and numerous flaws make it a clear "do not buy" recommendation, even for fans of the Tenkai Knights franchise or completionist collectors, as it is void of anything of value.